Camping Supplies List: What to Bring Camping

Get Set for Camping Season With This Handy Guide

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Camping is one of our favorite summer activities. There’s something truly unique about falling asleep to the sounds of nature and waking up to the smell of bacon crisping over a campfire. It’s also one of the only ways to escape from the ever-connected world, unplug and truly be present.

When you think of camping you might picture an isolated space in the woods, no toilet paper and a tent that falls at the first raindrop, but that no longer has to be the case. While you won't get the true getaway experience if you pack along all your home necessities, today's outdoor camping gear and accessories have been upgraded so campers can enjoy many of the comforts of 2019 life, while still taking in the wonders of nature.

If you haven’t roughed it in the great outdoors for awhile, you might be stumped on what to pack for camping. Luckily, we’ve got your back. Along with our guide on where to set up tent in the U.S., we’ve compiled a handy camping checklist which features all the camping essentials you’ll need for your next adventure.

Camping Supplies List

Tent with a rain cover

Sleeping pad (they’re lighter and easier to assemble than an air mattress)

Cast iron skillet and other durable, fire-friendly pots/pans (perfect for making everything from pancakes to fish)

Food (Pro-tip: freeze some pasta and sauce and unthaw it for your first evening at camp for a no-prep dinner)

Knife (mainly for food prep but possibly for protection or emergencies)

First aid kit

Charging packs for your devices

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When you think of camping destinations, you probably picture a great wooded wilderness. But have you considered camping along the Great Lakes? As a Michigander, I’m biased, but the sugar sand shores of Lake Michigan offer some of the best camping grounds out there. Steps away from massive sand dunes and water as far as the eye can see, it’ll only take one trip to realize that lake life is the best life.

Camping Lantern

After an evening out watching the sunset, you’ll need a strong lantern to light the way back to your campsite. You can’t go wrong with this rechargeable option, which features two removable flashlights and a whopping 600 total lumens of light. It’s rechargeable by USB or D-size batteries.

Camping Hammock

You’ll be hard pressed to find campers without hammocks in Northern Michigan. There’s something so peaceful about hooking up to the strong birch trees above the dunes and spending the day hanging out – literally. This double hammock is built of nylon parachute fabric (strong enough to hold two people) and claims to take less than three minutes to set up.

Rambler Colster

Michigan is known for its craft beer, and what better way to indulge in the state’s most popular beverage than with this insulated beer coozie. It keeps 12-ounce bottles and cans icy cold with double-wall vacuum insulation and the twist-off gasket tech will keep drinks secure.

If you haven’t been to the “Land of Enchantment,” add the state to your list. New Mexico offers a wide abundance of landscapes, from soaring mountains to grassy meadows, red rocks to blue lakes. The Santa Fe National Forest sits on 1.6 million acres of protected land and offers 1,000 miles of hiking trails and an abundance of rivers and streams for fishers and hikers alike.

Sleeping Pad

Trade out your big camping mattress for a sleeping pad; they’re lighter and don’t require an air pump. It’s made from durable nylon for any sleeping surface and will keep your body cradled all night. When you’re done, it rolls away into the size of a small water bottle.

Jetboil Pot

Be the top chef of the campfire kitchen. The Jetboil is a 21st-century camping pot. It holds up to 1.5 liters and features a hard-anodized aluminum construction. Plus, the plastic base cover duals as a bowl or serving plate if you’re looking to get extra fancy. As one Amazon reviewer said, “Easy to use, weight and space saving;” What more could you want?

Keychain Multitool

With limited space and unforeseeable situations, a multitool is a camper’s best friend. This trusted Leatherman brand product features 14 built-in tools, from a can opener to pliers, knife to scissors. And it only weighs 6.9 ounces to keep your day pack light.

Only a short drive from Portland, Lost Lake is a great spot to soak in all that the Pacific Northwest has to offer. Crystal clear water, beautiful wooded trails and an unrivaled view of Mt. Hood. It’s a popular camping spot and it fills up fast during the summer months, so make sure to book in advance.

Stanley Mug

This mug keeps up to 35 ounces of your favorite beverage frosty. Or, if you’re looking for a camp-safe coffee mug, this’ll do the trick. It’s made from kitchen-grade stainless steel and is puncture- and rust-resistant.

Powerbank

Not everyone’s definition of camping means going completely tech-free, and that’s okay. For those of you who want your phone at your fingertips, you’ll need a powerbank to keep you juiced up. We suggest this one from River Rapid; it’s small enough to fit in your pocket yet powerful enough to fully charge your smartphone, and then some.

BioLite Light

Powered by the sun, this light can stay illuminated for up to 50 hours on a single charge. It features a clip to attach the light to the top of your tent for ultimate portability and function. And it’s splash proof so you won’t have to worry about a little rain.

Nestled on the border between Tennessee and North Carolina, the Great Smoky Mountains offer a respite from the hustle and bustle of daily life. Here life moves a bit slower, with abundant wildlife and blossoming flowers. Bike the trails, go fly fishing and take up horseback riding – the 187,000 acres are all yours.

Rumpl Down Blanket

Camping blankets are more versatile than a sleeping bag. Cozy up with one around the campfire, use it as a picnic blanket or curl up in your hammock with the blanket and a book. This one is made from water-resistant, ripstop nylon, yet it’s fully washable making clean up easy when you get home.

Coleman Tent

When it comes to a tent, you need something light, portable and easy to set up. This Coleman tent takes the cake. I can personally attest to this tent as I’ve used it multiple times. It pops up in minutes and withstood a torrential rainstorm. But, don’t just take my word for it, with 4.4 stars from 6,500+ people, it seems like a winner in everyone’s book.

HOPPER BACKFLIP 24 Cooler

It’s a cooler. It’s a backpack. It’s a cooler backpack. Built of closed-cell rubber foam and waterproof, high-density fabric, this Yeti cooler is built to withstand anything – and will keep its contents icy cold. It’s ultra-portable and can hold up to 20 cans of beer.

Whether you hit up one of our favorite camping destinations or you stick to your tried and true spots, these camping essentials will see you through whatever adventure lies ahead. Now, get out and go bask in the beauty of the great outdoors.

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